“the Lord had chosen Metropolitan Onuphry for primatial ministry in these difficult times

“by the wise providence of God, His Beatitude Onuphry has been spiritually guiding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for twelve years, proving himself to be a cornerstone who, despite all trials, steadfastly bears witness to the truth and verity of the Gospel

“through his unceasing prayer, high authority, and paternal love, His Beatitude embraces the sorrows of his flock

“the primatial feat of His Beatitude Onuphrius, his courageous stand for the purity of Orthodoxy, and his unwavering faithfulness to the Truth of Christ, which, in the words of the hierarch, serve as a lofty example for the entire Orthodox world

“These were very difficult months for us, following the passing of His Holiness and as our Church continued its life without him

“Metropolitan Tikhon assured His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of the prayers of the OCA clergy and faithful.

“No matter how hard enemies and ‘friends’ may try, I am convinced there is a line His Beatitude Onuphry will never cross. He will not buy temporary peace at the price of departing from the canonical order of the Church, nor will he call something ‘the salvation of the Church’ if it destroys its unity. This is not stubbornness. It is faithfulness to Christ and the responsibility of a Primate before God for the Church entrusted to him

“the UOC Primate’s wise leadership protects the ship of the Church from internal discord and divisions